LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers star, is currently the oldest active player in the NBA during the 2024-25 season. He is playing in his 22nd season in the league and recently celebrated his 40th birthday. As a result, fans are abuzz with speculation about his retirement. However, a former NBA player and three-time NBA champion recently surprised fans with a bold claim regarding James’ retirement plans
During a recent episode of NBA Today on ESPN, Udonis Haslem praised LeBron James, stating that the Lakers star could continue playing until he is 45 if he chooses to do so.
Haslem said, “What people don’t understand about LeBron is, it ain’t on him, it’s in him. This is who he is and if he wanted to, he could play another four or five years. I can say he can go to 40 or 45 if he wanted to.”
.@ThisIsUD says LeBron James could play until he's 45 "if he wanted to." 😅
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 16, 2025
"If practice starts at 10 [AM] … he's gotten his shots up by 8 AM, by 9 AM he's lifted weights." 😤 pic.twitter.com/9KpKHaevvG
When ESPN uploaded a discussion segment on X (formerly Twitter), fans began to support Haslem’s perspective. Several fans shared their thoughts in the comment section, suggesting James could extend his career by another 4 to 5 seasons.
Starting to believe that
— Emperor Lightyear (@clinkie44) January 16, 2025
agreed
— Gabi (@GabiST08) January 16, 2025
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Sure if you play no defense and exert energy only on offense you can play much longer. It’s also why he isn’t winning anything
— 100x (@RandomPrecisio5) January 16, 2025
I mean he's still great at 40, why not play at 45+
— Rob M. (@Rmm800) January 16, 2025
No worries he’ll just be walking and jogging during the game
— jiminy (@jiminson123) January 17, 2025
Probably the most insane work ethic ever
— icetea (@Iceteaholic) January 16, 2025
Udonis Haslem Reflects On LeBron James’ Work Ethics
Despite turning 40, James shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to outperform the league’s elite young players on the court. In a recent discussion on NBA Today, Udonis Haslem reflected on James’ work ethic, which has contributed to his dominance in the game.
“What people don’t understand is LeBron is the ultimate professional. If practice starts at 10, Bron rode his 10-speed to practice at 7 a.m., he’s gotten his shots up by 8 a.m., by 9 a.m., he’s lifted weights and he’s just preparing for practice.” Haslem said.
In 2015, before the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers, a tweet from a Warriors fan went viral. In his tweet, he criticized LeBron James and predicted that James would retire by 30. However, James recently responded to that critic with a savage reply, as he is still playing in his 40s.
After the recent 117-108 victory over the Miami Heat, the Lakers are in 6th place in the Western Conference standings. They currently have a record of 21 wins and 17 losses in the 2024-25 NBA season.
